Dermatoses in parkinsonism: the importance of multidisciplinary follow-up.

Parkinsonism is characterized by bradykinesia with rigidity and/or resting tremor, in addition to non-motor symptoms, which include dermatological manifestations. The objective of this study is to evaluate the main dermatoses in patients with parkinsonism found at the Philanthropic Association of Curitiba - PR. A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out with the application of a questionnaire and dermatological evaluation of the patients. The sample consisted of 386 patients and was composed mainly by men (55.4%), between 60-74 years old (51.6%), with complete primary education (45.3%), disease diagnosis time between 5-10 years (35%) and in use of medication (96.6%). The most prevalent dermatoses were pigmented nevus (36.3%), warts (25.1%), actinic keratosis (22%), seborrheic keratosis (21.5%), seborrheic dermatitis (20.5%), and rosacea (19.2%). Among the 13 cases (3.4%) of malignant cutaneous neoplasms confirmed by biopsy, 2 were melanomas. Regarding patients' sex, there was a higher prevalence of inflammatory dermatoses (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.08-2.51, p = 0.025) and benign cutaneous neoplasms (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.16-2.69, p = 0.01) in men. As to age, patients aged between 60-74 years had more pre-malignant skin lesions (OR 2.60, 95% CI 1.05-6.44, p <0.001) and seborrheic keratosis (OR 2.52, 95% CI 1.02-6.25, p = 0.001) and, in those older than 75 years, actinic keratosis was more frequent (OR 5.43, 95% CI 2.17-13.6, p <0.001). The results of the study show that it is fundamental to dermatologically evaluate and monitor these patients, aiming at diagnosis and early treatment of lesions, especially of skin cancer.

Dermatoses in parkinsonism: the importance of multidisciplinary follow-up

Summary Parkinsonism is characterized by bradykinesia with rigidity and/or resting tremor, in addition to non-motor symptoms, which include dermatological manifestations. The objective of this study is to evaluate the main dermatoses in patients with parkinsonism found at the Philanthropic Association of Curitiba - PR. A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out with the application of a questionnaire and dermatological evaluation of the patients. The sample consisted of 386 patients and was composed mainly by men (55.4%), between 60-74 years old (51.6%), with complete primary education (45.3%), disease diagnosis time between 5-10 years (35%) and in use of medication (96.6%). The most prevalent dermatoses were pigmented nevus (36.3%), warts (25.1%), actinic keratosis (22%), seborrheic keratosis (21.5%), seborrheic dermatitis (20.5%), and rosacea (19.2%). Among the 13 cases (3.4%) of malignant cutaneous neoplasms confirmed by biopsy, 2 were melanomas. Regarding patients' sex, there was a higher prevalence of inflammatory dermatoses (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.08-2.51, p = 0.025) and benign cutaneous neoplasms (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.16-2.69, p = 0.01) in men. As to age, patients aged between 60-74 years had more pre-malignant skin lesions (OR 2.60, 95% CI 1.05-6.44, p <0.001) and seborrheic keratosis (OR 2.52, 95% CI 1.02-6.25, p = 0.001) and, in those older than 75 years, actinic keratosis was more frequent (OR 5.43, 95% CI 2.17-13.6, p <0.001). The results of the study show that it is fundamental to dermatologically evaluate and monitor these patients, aiming at diagnosis and early treatment of lesions, especially of skin cancer.

RESUMO Parkinsonismo é caracterizado por bradicinesia e/ou tremor de repouso, além de sintomas não motores, entre os quais se destacam as manifestações dermatológicas. O objetivo desse trabalho é conhecer as principais dermatoses em pacientes portadores de parkinsonismo atendidos em uma associação filantrópica de Curitiba/PR. Foi realizado um estudo descritivo transversal com aplicação de questionário e avaliação dermatológica dos pacientes. A amostra estudada consistiu de 386 pacientes e foi composta principalmente por homens brancos (55,4%), entre 60-74 anos (51,6%), ensino fundamental completo (45,3%), tempo de diagnóstico da doença entre 5-10 anos (35%) e em uso de medicação (96,6%). As dermatoses mais encontradas na inspeção dermatológica foram manchas pigmentadas (36,3%), verrugas (25,1%), ceratose actínica (22%), ceratose seborreica (21,5%), dermatite seborreica (20,5%) e rosácea (19,2%). Entre os 11 casos (2,8%) de neoplasias cutâneas malignas confirmados por biópsia, dois eram melanomas. Em relação ao sexo, houve prevalência em homens de dermatoses inflamatórias (OR 1,64, IC 95% 1,08-2,51; p=0,025) e neoplasias cutâneas benignas (OR 1,77, IC 95% 1,16-2,69; p=0,01). Quanto à idade, pacientes entre 60-74 anos apresentaram mais lesões cutâneas pré-malignas (OR 2,60, IC 95% 1,05-6,44; p<0,001) e a ceratose seborreica (OR 2,52, IC 95% 1,02-6,25; p=0,001); naqueles acima de 75 anos foi mais frequente a ceratose actínica (OR 5,43, IC 95% 2,17-13,6; p<0,001). Os resultados encontrados no estudo evidenciam que são fundamentais a avaliação e o monitoramento dermatológico desses pacientes, visando diagnóstico e tratamento precoce das lesões, em especial do câncer de pele.

Clinical Characteristics of Patients With Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders With Early Onset.

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder is a severe and disabling disease that manifests with severe relapses of optic neuritis, longitudinally extensive myelitis, and/or brainstem syndromes. The disease is complex and, although onset typically occurs in middle age, children and adolescents may be affected. The present study adds to the literature through detailed clinical data from 36 Brazilian patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder starting before age 21. This was a retrospective assessment of medical records from 14 specialized units in Brazil. The results showed that the course of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder was worse in patients with disease onset before the age of 12 years. Gender and ethnic background did not influence disability accumulation. Over a median period of 8 years, 14% of the patients who presented the initial symptoms of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder before the age of 21 years died. In conclusion, the present study adds to the reports from other authors examining the severity of early-onset neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.

Safety of switching from natalizumab straight into fingolimod in a group of JCV-positive patients with multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess safety of the switch between natalizumab and fingolimod without a washout period. METHODS: Prospective data on 25 JCV positive patients who underwent this medication switch were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: After a median period of nine months from the medication switch, there were no safety issues to report. The patients had good disease control and no adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION: Washout may not be necessary in daily practice when switching from natalizumab to fingolimod. Expertise on multiple sclerosis management, however, is essential for drug switching.

Safety of switching from natalizumab straight into fingolimod in a group of JCV-positive patients with multiple sclerosis / Segurança na mudança direta de natalizumabe para fingolimode em um grupo de pacientes com esclerose múltipla e positivos para JCV

ABSTRACT Objective To assess safety of the switch between natalizumab and fingolimod without a washout period. Methods Prospective data on 25 JCV positive patients who underwent this medication switch were collected and analyzed. Results After a median period of nine months from the medication switch, there were no safety issues to report. The patients had good disease control and no adverse events were reported. Conclusion Washout may not be necessary in daily practice when switching from natalizumab to fingolimod. Expertise on multiple sclerosis management, however, is essential for drug switching.

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar a segurança na mudança entre natalizumabe e fingolimode sem período de washout. Métodos Dados prospectivos de 25 pacientes positivos para vírus JC que tiveram sua medicação modificada foram coletados e analisados. Resultados Após uma mediana de nove meses da troca de medicação, não havia aspectos de segurança a relatar. Os pacientes estavam com bom controle da doença e não foram relatados eventos adversos. Conclusão Washout pode não ser necessário na prática diária para a mudança entre natalizumabe e fingolimode. No entanto, expertise no manejo de esclerose múltipla é essencial para esta troca entre medicações.